Went to the ENT. Did not seem concerned about much of anything. I had a staph infection, a swollen node, and the lump feeling they attributed to some latin term that means basically my neck muscles are really tight, probably due to stress, that creates this feeling.

The ENT put the tube in my nose and looked in and said everything looked normal. They also looked in the front and pressed down on my tongue (I guess to look at the base?) They have me on antibiotics and anti inflammatories now. I go back in 2 weeks and will have an XRay done first so they can look and also discuss anything new.

I do think my lymph node is a little less swollen today. But the popping when I swallow is deffinetly there. Also, I still am getting the sensations in my tongue, mainly back right side, and also a more shooting pain on left center.

So its not throat cancer for sure. My question now, does the ENT also check out the base of your tongue when they look in? I'm only scared (much less too) of "C" being on the base of my tongue causing these sensations in my tongue or a lump pushing around cartilage in my neck making the popping sound. He did not schedule a barium swallow or a node biopsy as he said everything looked normal.

I am teaching myself its probably all just stress/anxiety doing this to me, but they do want to see the XRay to be sure. Sorry I went crazy before; does it sound like the ENT is doing whats necessary?